Join Our List

November 28, 2011 

Welcome to our weekly memo featuring news, tips, resources, and reminders to help you stay in the know.  

Raising Special Kids Technology Award

Raising Special Kids recently received new software and technology valued at more than $19,000 as a result of a collaboration with Microsoft and PACER Center, a national technical assistance center located in Minneapolis, Minn.

"We are extremely grateful to have been included in this opportunity," said Joyce Millard Hoie, Executive Director. "Technology is an important tool in helping us fulfill our mission of improving the lives of children with disabilities by providing parents with information, training, and support." 

ABLE Act Bill

A new bill would give families a new way to save money for people with disabilities without jeopardizing government benefits. Legislation to allow for tax advantaged savings accounts for individuals with disabilities was introduced in the House and in the Senate. The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2011 (ABLE Act; S. 1872; H.R. 3423) would create ABLE savings accounts that allow people with disabilities to save for certain expenses, like education, housing, and transportation. ABLE accounts would not be considered when determining eligibility for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs, and other means-tested programs. More

School Districts Fear Slashed Budgets

Education advocates and local school officials are nervously eyeing a series of cuts set to hit just about every federal program in 2013-including Title I, special education, and money for teacher quality-now that a bipartisan panel tasked with making recommendations for trimming the nation's deficit has failed to reach agreement. More

Arizona Medicaid cut approved
Federal health officials have approved an additional 5 percent reduction in the rates hospitals and other health-care providers are reimbursed for Medicaid patients, part of Gov. Jan Brewer's budget-balancing package. Read more

Obama Names Berwick Replacement

President Barack Obama is nominating Marilyn Tavenner to succeed Donald M. Berwick as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Department of Health Services Issues RSV Announcement

Respiratory syncytial virus (or RSV) is a respiratory virus that mainly affects young children, especially at this time of year. There's no vaccine, but a preventive antibody treatment can be given to those at greatest risk (e.g. premature infants). RSV spreads mostly in the winter (like influenza). Influenza activity in AZ is still light, but RSV shows an increase in case reports.

Once RSV infections begin cases usually rapidly rise and remain high for several months. Doctors who administer RSV antibody to high-risk infants may want to incorporate this information into treatment plans--and it's time for hospitals to begin implementing RSV prevention plans. ADHS flu and RSV website has useful information about flu and RSV including periodic reports.

Disability Benefits 101 - Online Tools for Success

Access to new information and online tools that help individuals with disabilities understand options they have to become more self-sufficient through work will be available in January of 2012. Arizona Disability Benefits 101 (AZ DB 101) online tools support individuals with disabilities to plan for employment, to learn how work and benefits go together and to make informed decisions about going to work or accepting a job offer.

These tools help service providers support individuals with disabilities to maximize their earnings by using work incentives. If you support individuals with disabilities to think about, plan for and maintain employment, you are invited to attend one of these 3-hour orientation sessions during the week of December 5, 2011. In some cases, one session will be held simultaneously in multiple locations via videoconference.

You must register, seating is limited. Call Cindy Tuxford: 602-417-4280.

Catalyst Center Releases New Resource on Health Coverage for Children with Special Health Needs

A new online resource from the Catalyst Center, "State-at-a-Glance Chartbook," highlights state-by-state data on health coverage and financing of care for children and youth with special health care needs. The Catalyst Center, funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, is a national center dedicated to improving health care insurance and financing of care for children and youth with special health care needs. More

New Report Evaluates the Global State of Online Safety

The Family Online Safety Institute recently published its State of Online Safety Report, a comprehensive appraisal of the state of online safety in 2011. Containing more than 60 pages of expert commentary and analysis, this new report includes regional profiles, maps, and best practice case studies. Download the report here.

My Family Health Portrait

This tool, provided by the Surgeon General, provides a convenient way to track your family history. More

See the new Medicaid Reference Desk as a tool to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities find out what Medicaid can offer them: http://www.thedesk.info/

2011 Health Care Resources
Children's Action Alliance has issued a Spanish version of its 2011 Health Care Resources Manual. It includes information about AHCCCS, KidsCare and the health care options plus newly added information about the resources available for people with HIV/AIDS. Download and share the CAA Health Manual in Spanish or contact CAA through email at caa@azchildren.org or by phone at (602-266-0707) to find out how to order a hard copy. And if you need the English only version you can find it here.

Disability Community to Honor Barbara Brent

Please join us and other disability advocates in saying "Thank You" to Barbara Brent, Assistant Director for Arizona's Department of Economic Security, for ten years of leadership and service to families and consumers in the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD).  

A reception in Barbara's honor will be held on December 6^th, 2011 from 4:00 to 6:30 PM.  

Location: Disability Empowerment Center, 5025 E. Washington Street, Phoenix, AZ. You are welcome to email a picture of your child or family member to include in a memory book (send to info@raisingspecialkids.org by Tuesday, November 28).

Please RSVP to Raising Special Kids 602-242-4366 or by email: info@raisingspecialkids.org (Use RSVP in the subject line) or register online.

Northern AZ Youth Transition Fair

Date:    Thursday, 12/1/11

Time: 2:00 - 6:00 PM

Location: Coconino Community College, 2800 S. Lone Tree Road, Flagstaff, Arizona, 86004

Admission: Free

Parents, guardians, and students are invited. For families and students who:

• Are in middle school or older
• Have a disability
• Are in a special education program

Discover the possibilities for their future. You and your child will gain valuable information about various programs and agencies that can assist with:

• Higher education and training
• Employment
• Community resources and independent living.

Over 20 agencies will have representatives available to offer guidance and information.

For more information Email: transition_fair@yahoo.com  or visit www.facebook.com/pages/On-the-Road-School-To-Work

Free Event: Vision Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology
December 2, 9am0in
The 15th Annual Vision Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Expo
Shriners Auditorium, 552 N. 40th Street, Phoenix (shuttle from the 38th St./Washington Light Rail stop)
VRATE is the place to hear presentations by professionals in the field of vision loss, explore assistive technology, and learn about agencies, services, and programs.
More information: Call 602 331 7909 for an audio presentation or visit www.vrate.org

Pediatric Feeding Disturbances Conference

Reassure or Refer? Presented by P.O.P.S.I.C.L.E. Center ®

Saturday, January 14, 2012

7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Rosati Education Center at Banner Desert Medical Center, Mesa, Arizona

This seminar is designed for pediatricians, neonatologists, gastroenterologists, allergists, pulmonologists, nurses, dietitians, psychologists, speech/language pathologists, occupational therapists, students and parents.

Registration due Dec. 31, 2011. Registrations sent in after this date MUST be called in to (602) 222-6222. To register online, visit www.bannerhealth.com/230CARE. (Credit/debit cards only.)

For more information, call (602) 222-6222 or e-mail chris@popsicle.org

Please register for all workshops. To register, click on the name of the workshop or call 602-242-4366 or 800-237-3007.

Join us in serving Arizona's families of children with disabilities and special health needs. We strive to serve more parents each year. Over 200,000 Arizona children have significant disabilities and special health care needs.

Please donate to our annual fund through our secure online system. A donation of any amount is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for supporting families and making a difference in the lives of parents and children!

Raising Special Kids is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. 

Community Outreach Events

Assistance with Hosting Raising Special Kids Information Table

• FAAN'S Walk (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network), Tempe Arts Park, 700 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281 ~ Saturday, December 3, 2011, 9:00 am to Noon.                  
• Maricopa County Kids Safety & Health Fair, Palm Valley Apartments, 1891 N. Litchfield Rd., Goodyear, AZ   ~ Saturday, December 10, 2011, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Call Janna at 602-242-4366 or email jannam@raisingspecialkids.org